Wow!  I was so excited!  I just landed my dream job and was floating on cloud nine.  I practically ran into my husband’s arms, gave him a big hug and enthusiastically shared my news.  “The pastor loved me and so I am going to join his staff as Administrative Assistant next week”, I exclaimed.  Of course my husband knew how much I wanted this position and how gifted I am in the area of creating bulletins, newsletters and event brochures.  This was surely a dream job come true .

   The very next day however, everything changed dramatically.  I went to visit my doctor and was told that I needed to have surgery.  This was painful news since I knew that surgery would put me out of work for a minimum of 8 weeks—bare minimum!  The person that I was to replace was leaving her position and my new boss could not wait 2 weeks, let alone 8.  Of this fact, I was certain and this truth grieved my spirit.

   With pain weighing heavy in my heart, I telephoned the pastor and told him of my dilemma.  I apologized emphatically but knew deep down inside that this surgery was necessary.  He assured me that everything would be fine but that he would have to choose the next person in line.  Of course I understood his position but I couldn’t help questioning God.  “Lord, why would you allow me to get this close to what I’ve always wanted and then snatch the opportunity right out from under me?”  I was quite sad, confused and almost angry.  Are you with me?

   I went on into surgery a few weeks later.  The end result seemed completely radical.  I no longer had a medical problem and had been completely healed though the procedure—to God be the glory!    I eventually worked up the courage to begin my job search again, of course, still hoping and praying for another opportunity in the church administrative field.  

   Amazingly, practically one year to the date of my surgery, God opened another door for me to go to work for another pastor.  This however, was no traditional church pastor—but a purpose-driven one.  My journey under his leadership taught me more than I ever dreamed possible about God, his love for me and His expectations from me as a Christian.  I told my new pastor boss my story about the dream job that I’d acquired fading away into the night and his quick response was, “You see, God wasn’t saying no, just that He had something much better in store.”

   You see, good things do come to those who wait... 

But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.  Hebrews 8:25